Hydrangea plant named &#39;Hokomachoko&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘Hokomachoko’ that is characterized by its inflorescences that are dark red in color and flattened in shape, its vigorous growth habit, its suitability as a cut flower use and as a potted plant, and its upright growing habit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Plant Patents for a plant derivedfrom the same breeding program that are entitled Hydrangea Plant Named‘Hortmagibo’ (U.S. Pat. No. 30,267), Hydrangea Plant Named‘Hortmalegretto’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,045), and Hydrangea Plant Named‘Kolmaru’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,104).

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Varietal denomination: ‘Hokomachoko’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHydrangea macrophyllaand will be referred to hereafter by its cultivarname, ‘Hokomachoko’. ‘Hokomachoko’ represents a new bigleaf Hydrangea, aperennial shrub grown for use as a potted plant and cut flower.

‘Hokomachoko’ derived from an ongoing controlled breeding programdirected by the Inventors. An objective of the breeding program includeddeveloping a new cultivar of Hydrangea with red color flowers, afloriferous blooming habit and sturdy flower sepals.

‘Hokomachoko’ arose from a controlled cross made by the Inventor inBoskoop, The Netherlands in June of 2012 between an unnamed andunpatented proprietary plant in the Inventor's breeding program(reference no. 09-025-05) as the female parent and Hydrangea ‘Kolmaru’as the male parent. ‘Hokomachoko’ was selected as a single unique plantfrom amongst the resulting seedlings in June of 2014.

Asexual propagation of the new cultivar was first accomplished by stemcuttings by one of the Inventors in August of 2014 in Boskoop, TheNetherlands. Asexual propagation by stem cuttings has determined thatthe characteristics of the new cultivar are stable and are reproducedtrue to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thecharacteristics of the new cultivar. These attributes in combinationdistinguish ‘Hokomachoko’ as a unique cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla.

1. ‘Hokomachoko’ exhibits inflorescences that are dark red in color andflattened in shape.2. ‘Hokomachoko’ exhibits a vigorous growth habit.3. ‘Hokomachoko’ exhibits suitability as a cut flower use and as apotted plant.4. ‘Hokomachoko’ exhibits an upright growing habit.

The female parent of ‘Hokomachoko’ differs from ‘Hokomachoko’ in havingflowers that are green-pink in color, sepals that are softer in textureand shorter stems. The male parent of ‘Hokomachoko’ differs from‘Hokomachoko’ in having inflorescences that are lighter red in color andglobular in shape and sepals that are softer in texture. ‘Hokomachoko’can be most closely compared to the Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars‘Hortmagibo’ and ‘Hortmalegretto’. ‘Hortmagibo’ and ‘Hortmalegretto’ areboth similar to ‘Hokomachoko’ in having red color inflorescences andupright growing habits. ‘Hortmagibo’ and ‘Hortmalegretto’ both differfrom ‘Hokomachoko’ in having a globular shaped inflorescences andinflorescences that are lighter red in color.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR

The Applicant asserts that no publications or advertisements relating tosales, offers for sale, or public distribution occurred more than oneyear prior to the effective filing date of this application. Anyinformation about the claimed plant would have been obtained from adirect or indirect disclosure from the Inventor. The Applicant claims aprior art exemption under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/orsales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to theeffective filing date. Disclosures include but may not be limited to awebsite listing by Plants Nouveau.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceand distinct characteristics of the new Hydrangea. The photographs weretaken of a three-year-old plant of ‘Hokomachoko’ as grown in agreenhouse in a 27-cm container in Boskoop, The Netherlands.

The photograph in FIG. 1 provides a side view of the plant habit of‘Hokomachoko’ in bloom.

The photograph in FIG. 2 provides a close-up view of a fully openinflorescence of ‘Hokomachoko’.

The photograph in FIG. 3 provides a close-up view of a leaf of‘Hokomachoko’.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized and the color values citedin the detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors ofthe new Hydrangea.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of three-year-old plants of‘Hokomachoko’ as grown in a greenhouse in 27-cm containers in Boskoop,The Netherlands. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary withvariations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, as ithas not been tested under all possible environmental conditions. Thecolor determination is in accordance with The 2015 Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general colorterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   General description:    -   -   Blooming period.—Late spring to late summer with flowers            showy at least for 2 months in the Netherlands.        -   Plant type.—Deciduous shrub, mophead type Hydrangea.        -   Plant habit.—Spreading, upright.        -   Height and spread.—An average of 50 cm in in height and 66.5            cm in spread as grown in a 27-cm container, reaches 1 m in            height and spread as a 3-year-old plant in the landscape.        -   Hardiness.—At least in U.S.D.A. Zones 5 to 9.        -   Diseases and pests.—No susceptibility and resistance to            diseases or pests has been observed.        -   Root description.—Fine and fibrous, 161C in color.        -   Propagation.—Stem cuttings.        -   Root development.—An average of 6 weeks for root initiation            with a young rooted plant produced in an average of 18            weeks.        -   Growth rate and vigor.—Vigorous.-   Stem description:    -   -   Stem shape.—Rounded.        -   Stem strength.—Strong.        -   Stem color.—Young; 144A, mature; 144A, internodes tinged            with N186C, old bark; 199C to 199D and N199B.        -   Stem size.—An average of 29.4 cm in length (excluding            inflorescence) and 5.5 mm in diameter.        -   Stem surface.—Glabrous, sparsely lenticellate, lenticels; an            average of 3 mm in length and 1.25 mm in diameter, N186C in            color.        -   Stem aspect.—Average angle of vertical to 30°.        -   Internode length.—An average of 5.7 cm.        -   Branching.—Freely branching with an average of 39 lateral            branches.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Leaf shape.—Ovate to broad ovate.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf base.—Short attenuate to obtuse.        -   Leaf apex.—Apiculate.        -   Leaf margins.—Coarsely serrate.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnate, color; color upper surface 144A,            lower surface 144C.        -   Leaf size.—An average of 8.3 cm in length and 5.3 cm in            width.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Leaf number.—An average of 14 per lateral stem.        -   Leaf surface.—Both surfaces; smooth and moderately rugose.        -   Leaf color.—Young foliage; upper surface between 137A and            143A, outer edges 200A, lower surface 146B, outer edge 200A,            mature foliage; upper surface between NN137A and 147A, outer            edge tinged 200B to 200C, lower surface 147A, outer edge            tinged 200B to 200C.        -   Petioles.—An average of 9.5 mm in length and 3 mm in            diameter, upper surface color N144A, lower surface color            144B to 144C and N186C, both surfaces are smooth and            slightly glossy.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Terminal panicle, flattened mophead            comprised of sterile flowers above fertile flowers.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence.—Sterile flowers; persistent            for an average of 6 weeks, fertile flowers; self-cleaning,            an average of 5 days.        -   Lastingness of as a cut flower.—An average of 2 weeks.        -   Inflorescence number.—One per lateral stem.        -   Inflorescence size.—An average of 9.7 cm in height and 17.3            cm in diameter.        -   Flower number.—An average of 150 sterile flowers and 55            fertile flowers per panicle.        -   Flower fragrance.—None.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright to outward.        -   Flower size.—Sterile flowers; an average of 3.5 cm in            diameter and 7 mm in depth, fertile flowers; an average of 7            mm in diameter and 4 mm in depth.        -   Flower type.—Rotate.        -   Flower buds.—Sterile flowers; an average of 1 cm in length            and 1.3 cm in diameter, cup shaped, 145C, tip 48C in color,            fertile flowers; an average of 4 mm in length and diameter,            spherical in shape, color; 48C, 137C to 137D at base.        -   Peduncles.—Strong, flattened oval in shape, an average of 2            cm in length and 2 mm in width on primary peduncles and            secondary peduncles 1.2 cm in length and 2 mm in width, and            blend of 145C and 180D in color in color, surface matte and            sparsely to moderately covered with thin pubescence an            average of 0.2 mm in length and too small to measure color.        -   Pedicels.—Sterile flowers; held primarily at an average            angle of 40° to upright, an average of 1.9 cm in length and            1 mm in diameter, moderately strong strength, 180D in color,            surface matte and sparsely to moderately covered with thin            pubescence an average of 0.2 mm in length and too small to            measure color, fertile flowers; held at an average angle of            25° from vertical, an average of 3.5 mm in length and 1 mm            in diameter, moderate strength, 145C in color, matte surface            and very sparsely covered with thin pubescent hairs an            average of 0.2 mm in length and too small to measure color.        -   Petals.—Sterile flowers; an average of 4, rotate, cruciform            in arrangement, acute apex, cuneate base, entire margins,            ovate to moderately to strongly concave in shape, average of            4 mm in length and 2.5 mm in width, both surfaces; glabrous            and matte, color; when opening and fully open upper surface            70B, changing to NN155D at the base, when opening and fully            open lower surface 63B, color not fading, but dropped when            mature, fertile flowers; an average of 4 to 5, rotate in            arrangement, ovate and concave in shape, entire margin,            acute apex, cuneate base, an average of 4 mm in length and 2            mm in width, upper and lower surface glabrous and matte,            color; upper surface when opening and fully open 64D, lower            surface when opening and fully open 69D, tinged 146D, base            changing to 63C.        -   Sepals.—Sterile flowers; 3 to 4, rotate, rotate, bluntly            acute to near obtuse apex, broadly cuneate base, entire            margins, broad ovate to reniform in shape, an average of 1.9            cm in length and 2.1 cm in width, upper surface glabrous and            matte, lower surface glabrous and very slightly glossy,            color; when opening upper surface 60A, changing to 61C at            the base, when opening lower surface 68B, very slightly            tinged 148C, when fully open upper surface 60A to 60B,            irregularly blotched with 147A and 197A, when fully open            lower surface N148B to N148C, veined 63B to 63C, upper            surface fading to 146A to 147A and strongly tinged 187C,            lower surface fading to 147C, 61D at the base, fertile            flowers; an average of 5 to 6, ovate to elliptic in shape,            entire margin, acute apex, 3 mm in length, 1.5 cm width, and            cuneate base, both surfaces are glabrous and matte, color;            upper surface when opening and fully open 137C to 137D,            lower surface when opening and fully open 141A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Gynoecium.—Sterile flowers; 2 pistils, an average of 1 mm in            length, stigma; club-shaped and NN155C in color, style; 0.5            mm in length, 58C to 58D in color, ovary is 62C in color,            fertile flowers; an average of 3 pistils, an average of 1.75            mm in length, stigma; club-shaped and NN155C in color,            style; 1 mm in length and 65D in color, ovary is 150D in            color.        -   Androecium.—Sterile flowers; an average of 8 stamens,            filaments; an average of 2.75 mm in length and N155B in            color, anthers; broad oblong in shape, an average of 0.75 mm            in length and 155D in color, pollen; low in quantity, 155D            in color, fertile flowers; an average of 10 stamens,            filaments; an average of 3 mm in length and NN155D in color,            anthers; broad oblong in shape, an average of 0.75 mm in            length and 155D in color, pollen; low in quantity and 155D            in color.        -   Fruit and seed.—None observed to date.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named‘Hokomachoko’ substantially as herein illustrated and described.